This Remote Midwestern Escape In Wisconsin Is A Riverside State Forest With Lake Fun, Camping, And Trails

The Badger State boasts roughly 17 million acres of national and state forest. This makes Wisconsin a hub for outdoor adventure in the Midwest with plenty worth exploring. Open daily and year-round with a vehicle admission pass, Flambeau River State Forest is a beautiful nature escape in a remote northern Wisconsin location that can be reached by out-of-state travelers by flying into Central Wisconsin Airport two hours south.

With swimming beaches and campsites, Connors Lake and Lake of the Pines are large lakes within the forest for recreational water activities. Fishing and paddling can be enjoyed on the lakes and along Flambeau River. The forest hosts miles of hiking trails, with some that can support mountain biking as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. 38 miles of ATV trails are available during the warmer months between mid-May and mid-November. Equestrians can go horseback riding on gravel roads and logging trails. 

The best way to enjoy everything Flambeau River State Forest has to offer is by camping overnight. The forest offers lakeside campgrounds, primitive river camping, remote backpack camping, and a comfortable ADA-accessible yurt for hunters. Lake of the Pines Campground has 30 campsites with a swimming beach and vault toilets, but no electricity. Connors Lake Campground contains 29 campsites, two of which are ADA-accessible and four with electricity. There are 14 primitive riverside campsites accessed via canoe along the Flambeau River State Forest to support paddlers. Primitive backpack camping is also allowed throughout most of the forest.

With two large lakes and an active river, there is plenty of water recreation and lake fun to enjoy in Flambeau River State Forest. In the warmer months, visitors can swim in the lakes from the forest's three designated swimming beaches. There are two located on Connors Lake, which can be found in the campground and picnic area, and one at the Lake of the Pines Campground. Visitors can also take a dip in other forest waterways as long as they are not closed for swimming, though swimming in moving waters like the Flambeau River can be risky. 

One of the safer ways to explore one of Wisconsin's most incredible lakes and rivers for the perfect Midwest summer vacation is by paddling in a kayak or canoe. Inexperienced paddlers should consider the 77-mile North Fork of the Flambeau River, which has calm waters for a leisurely paddle. The 15-mile South Fork of the river is shorter but contains strong rapids that may be difficult to navigate, making it most suitable for experienced paddlers looking for a thrill. "Paddling the river was amazing. The [Department of Natural Resources] website has a fantastic document highlighting various canoe trips," a Google user informed. There are six boat landings along the river for getting in and out of the water.

Whether you are paddling down the river or exploring the lakeshores, fishing is another fun activity on the region's rivers and lakes. Anglers can catch bass, trout, walleye, northern pike, crappie, and many more freshwater species. "It's sturgeon fishing season. Camping on the river, and the views of sunsets are breathtaking [every] night. And catching sturgeon, go hand in hand," one Google user said. Anglers must possess a Wisconsin fishing license that can be acquired online. 

While it does not have 800 miles of trails like Wisconsin's giant Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest just about 15 minutes away, Flambeau River State Forest has plenty of quiet trails for hiking, biking, and skiing. Its highest rated route on AllTrails is the Little Falls/Slough Gundy Scenic Area trail that loops just under a mile, where hikers can swim at their own risk in its rocky and picturesque waters. "This is a gorgeous trail! It's rugged in parts, and there are plenty of off shoots down to the water or into the woods, so don't let the short distance dissuade you from this one!" a hiker shared. For a longer hike, the 7.2-mile Rim Creek Upper Loop is a great option for avid hikers who want to cover more ground in the forest along the Flambeau River riverbank. Bug spray is recommended while hiking and visiting the forest, as insects are usually active.

The 1.3-mile Lake of the Pines is the best trail for birdwatchers and those looking for scenic water views of Lake of the Pines. "If you're a birder, like I am, it's fabulous. Trail runs by a nicely maintained State Forest Campground with a clean pit toilet and a boat launch. Very enjoyable," one AllTrails hiker informed. The longer 4.6-mile Rim Creek Loop trail also offers water and forest views, but it better serves as a popular cross-country ski trail in the wintertime. 

Just like rugged camping in Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, camping overnight is a great reward after a long day of hiking. "Camped here for a few nights. It was a wonderful campground. Sites are close to one another but plenty of shade!" one former camper shared. Campsites can be reserved online in advance.